Title: The Advanced Game Narrative Toolbox

Authors: Tobias Heussner (ed.), Danny Wadeson, Brian Kindregan, Cash DeCuir, Toiya Kristen Finley, Tanya DePass, Heidi McDonald, Alexander Bevier, Matt Forbeck, Craig Sherman, Chris Skaggs

Publisher: CRC Press

First Published: 2019 (Second edition: 2026)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781351014397 (1st ed) https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003648215 (2nd ed)

Abstract: The Advanced Game Narrative Toolbox continues where the Game Narrative Toolbox ended. While the later covered the basics of writing for games, the Advanced Game Narrative Toolbox will cover techniques for the intermediate and professional writer. The book will cover topics such as how to adapt a novel to a game, how to revive IPs and how to construct transmedia worlds. Each chapter will be written by a professional with exceptional experience in the field of the chapter.

Key Features

• Learn from industry experts how to tackle today’s challenges in storytelling for games.
• A learn by example and exercise approach, which was praised in the Game Narrative Toolbox.
• An in depth view on advanced storytelling techniques and topics as they are currently discussed and used in the gaming industry.
• Expand your knowledge in game writing as you learn and try yourself to design quests, write romances and build worlds as you would as a writer in a game studio.
• Improve your own stories by learning and trying the techniques used by the professionals of game writing.

Table of Contents - 1st edition:

1. Introduction, by Tobias Heussner
2. Why Authentic Diversity, Consultants, and Research Are Needed in Narrative Design, by Tanya DePass
3. Writing Romance and Sexuality in Games, by Heidi McDonald
4. Building a Universe, by Danny Wadeson
5. Writing for Nondigital Games (Board Games), by Alexander Bevier
6. From Novel to Game and Back Again, by Matt Forbeck
7. From Movie to Game (and Back Again?) by Craig Sherman
8. Get It into the Game: Writing and Implementation, by Tobias Heussner
9. Cinematics and Dialogue, by Brian Kindregan
10. Get This, Kill That, Talk with … Mission and Quest Design, by Tobias Heussner
11. Planning Your Work, by Cash DeCuir
12. Yes, Videogames Need Story Editors! by Toiya Kristen Finley
13. Freelancing in Games: Narrative Mercenaries for Hire, by Toiya Kristen Finley
14. Conclusion, by Tobias Heussner

Table of Contents - 2nd edition: 

1. Introduction, by Tobias Heussner
2. Building a Universe, by Danny Wadeson
3. Get It into the Game: Writing and Implementation, by Tobias Heussner
4. Cinematics and Dialogue, by Brian Kindregan
5. Get This, Kill That, Talk with … Mission and Quest Design, by Tobias Heussner
6. Planning Your Work, by Cash DeCuir
7. Yes, Videogames Need Story Editors! by Toiya Kristen Finley
8. Why Authentic Diversity, Consultants, and Research Are Needed in Narrative Design, by Tanya DePass
9. Writing Romance and Sexuality in Games, by Heidi McDonald
10. Writing for Nondigital Games (Board Games), by Alexander Bevier
11. From Novel to Game and Back Again, by Matt Forbeck
12. From Movie to Game (and Back Again?) by Craig Sherman
13. Working with Licensed Worlds and Content for Children, by Chris Skaggs
14. Freelancing in Games: Narrative Mercenaries for Hire, by Toiya Kristen Finley
15. Working with Communication Biases, by Tobias Heussner
16. Unreal Engine for Narrative Designers, by Tobias Heussner
17. Conclusion, by Tobias Heussner
18. Resources and Groups, by Tobias Heussner